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Oil Price Plunge Raises Fears for Indebted Shale Companies

The latest fall in oil prices is once again putting pressure on indebted shale companies.

After falling from over $100 per barrel down to $43 per barrel at its lowest point in March of this year, WTI prices rebounded with a 40 percent rise, trading for more or less $60 per barrel for May and June.

The rebound appeared to spell the end to the worst of the glut, with production plateauing, if not falling, and demand starting to rise. Although estimates were all over the map, many saw a strong bounce coming in the oil markets, with some even predicting supply shortages before the end of the year.

Still, mountains of debt had accumulated across the U.S. shale sector. That didn’t go away but was sort of on hold as drillers, and their financial backers, hoped that further price increases would allow them to pay down debt. To stay afloat, drillers issued new debt and equity.

But the renewed plunge in oil prices is kicking off a fresh round of debt concerns. Bloomberg reported that energy-related junk bonds have lost 3 percent of their value in the last two weeks, after WTI crashed to nearly $51 per barrel and Brent fell below $57. Bond traders are avoiding high-yield, high-risk debt, and yields have jumped to nearly 10 percent, a level normally associated with default risk.

“The energy sector of the high-yield market continues to be a silo of misery,” Margie Patel with Wells Capital Management, told Bloomberg telephone interview. “If we stay near these levels, marginal high-cost producers won’t be able to survive.”

The markets will get a clearer picture as second quarter earnings season arrives, as indebted shale companies provide some clues into their ongoing struggles.

However, the outlook moving forward may be gloomier than whatever they report in the second quarter.

The swift drop in oil prices over the past year was driven by tepid demand and surging supplies. But the renewed drop has occurred because of broader market turmoil, which comes on top of the ongoing glut. Greece has defaulted on its debt and the stage is set for its exit from the euro, with unknown ramifications for the EU. That could weaken oil prices through a stronger dollar, falling EU demand, and a higher perception of risk.

More concerning is the meltdown in the Chinese financial system. The Shanghai Composite and has lost more than 30 percent of its value since June and the Shenzhen Composite has seen 40 percent of its value vanish into thin air. While the precipitous decline raised worries at first and saw modest action from the government, the turmoil is quickly turning into a meltdown, sparking panic in China and around the world. Related: Dodging The Export Ban: U.S Condensates Export Flourishes

Now Chinese regulators, in a desperate attempt to stem the outflows, have banned large shareholders selling their stakes for at least five months. Companies representing roughly 45 percent of the two exchanges (or $2.4 trillion) are suspending trading, trying to avoid more sell offs.

"We are seeing a panic in China. It goes back to 2008, when it always seemed the Chinese were really in control of their economy. They were the first ones out there with a stimulus, and now it looks like they don't know what to do,” oil historian and vice chairman of IHS said on CNBC on July 8.

Of course, as the largest oil importer in the world, China has massive influence over prices. A sharp downturn could crush oil prices.

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Always good info nick...but a few point. The booting of greece from euro should actually strengthen it as after if u chuck the bad apple isnt the bushel worth more? Second reuters today reported that china will open oil imports to independent refiners to the tune of 600,000bpd! As a reminder that the entire iran export threat!

Bud on July 10 2015 said:

55% of global oil supply experiences 5-6% annual supply decline rates. Where does the additional 3 million barrels per day come from next year?

Russia and Opec are producing flat out, so clearly the us and Canada will need to make up a lions share.

Yes, there are many, many E&P drillers that have poor balance sheets and liquidity and this will become worse as SEC PV10's factor in 9 months of 55-60 dollar oil prices, but this and every thing you stated are known and factored into the prices.

Instead of just looking for yahoo click through, it would be helpful if you would provide some useful info like who has the balance sheet and liquidity to get through the next six months without issue.

Graham on July 10 2015 said:

Excellent points bud and lenb

joe on July 14 2015 said:

I don't understand how a slowdown in China can affect oil companies in shale such as Eagle Ford in Texas. the United States is not allowed to export oil.as long as oil prices stay above 50 companies can cut costs and survive prices will eventually move much higher.OPEC country's cannot survive on 50 dollar Oil..Saudi Arabia needs oil over $100 a barrel to maintain their budget they're already borrowing money now

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